UK

23rd November 2007

12:45 PM — The Young Anti-Bullying Alliance (Young ABA) is hosting a special event at London Zoo today to mark Blue Friday, the day when all children and young people are encouraged to dress in blue for the day in support of the anti-bullying message.Young ABA (YABA) is a recently established advisory board of nine Diana Anti-Bullying Award holders - one from each government region.This week is Anti-Bullying Week 2007, run by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA).

12:40 PM — One of the best-known gay rights advocates in Britain will soon be celebrating his 40th year of human rights campaigning.Peter Tatchell began his first campaign in 1967 in his native Australia against the death penalty and opposition to conscription and the Australian and US war against the people of Vietnam."It is a great honour and privilege to have been part of the international human rights movement," said Mr Tatchell.

12:40 PM — The latest figures released today from the Health Protection Agency reveal that the number of gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIV in the UK is at its highest rate since the start of the epidemic.2,700 gay and bisexual men were newly diagnosed last year, the highest number ever.Across the UK 1 in 20 gay and bisexual men are now living with HIV and estimates suggest this figure is as high as 1 in 10 in London.

22nd November 2007

5:05 PM — The House of Lords continued its debate on the second reading of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology bill yesterday.During the debate a leading Labour peer revealed that his sister is a lesbian who had a child with her partner.Conservative elected hereditary peer Lord Elton said it was "extraordinary" to remove the need for a father. "It seems to me grotesque and unpleasant," he said.

4:10 PM — An employment tribunal has heard an Army sergeant deny sending texts to a lesbian soldier claiming he could "convert" her.Lance Corporal Kerry Fletcher, 31, claims she was picked on because of her sexuality and that the staff sergeant sent her text messages indicating he wanted to have sex with her when she was working at an army stables in North Yorkshire.The sergeant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has maintained his innocence.

4:00 PM — An 11 year old boy in Gloucestershire has been given a final warning from police for using homophobic language.The child shouted three times towards his 49-year-old victim as he walked down the street in Dursley.PC Helen Seymour, Hate Crime Officer for Stroud, Stonehouse and Dursley, said her force take incidence of hate crime "very seriously."

12:30 PM — Actress Samantha Janus has won substantial damages from a claim that she had engaged in a "three hour drug fueled lesbian orgy."She sued the Sunday Sport after story entitled "Sam's sex and drugs shame" hit newsstands on 22 July this year.Two topless photos of Janus, taken by her ex boyfriend Doug Harwood, accompanied the article.

12:03 PM — Poppers usage could increase a gay mans susceptibility to HIV transmission during unprotected sex, a new UK study has found.The use of the drug facilitates longer and rougher sex, as well as increasing the body's uptake of fluids.The research, published in the online edition of Sexually Transmitted Infections, shows gay men are still the highest risk group in terms of UK HIV infection.

21st November 2007

5:10 PM — Labour MPs will not be given a free vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, it has emerged.Traditionally members are given a free vote on issues deemed to be a matter of conscience.However, growing backbench unease about the proposals has led government sources to confirm that the bill will be subject to a three-line whip, meaning all Labour MPs must vote in favour of it.

4:45 PM — An evangelical minister who came to prominence for his protests at gay Pride events has gone to the High Court in an attempt to bring a private prosecution for blasphemy against the director general of the BBC.Reverend Stephen Green's actions relate to the screening of the acclaimed production Jerry Springer - The Opera on BBC2 in 2005.An attempt to bring a private prosecution in January was dismissed by a district court.

3:45 PM — Senior politicians, broadcasters, legal professionals, teachers and gay rights advocates will gather in central London later next week to raise awareness of next year's LGBT History Month.The pre-launch event will be hosted by the London Crown Prosecution Service, the London Criminal Justice Board and Channel 4 at the Royal Courts of Justice.The fourth Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History Month just over three months away.

2:30 PM — The Lesbian and Gay Christian movement has appointed a new assistant chief executive.Rev Sharon Ferguson, a Theology and Psychology graduate, said she hopes that she can work hard towards a time when groups like LGCM are no longer needed.She said she looked forward to a time: "When all people regardless of how they express they sexuality are treated as equal members of the body of Christ."

12:50 PM — Today the House of Lords will continue to debate the second reading of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.During Monday's debate bishops and peers disagreed on the role of fathers.For the government, Lord Darzi of Denham explained the purpose of the bill is to "ensure that the law remains effective and fit for purpose in the 21st century."

10:31 AM — A Conservative councillor found guilty of public order offences after making homophobic comments is to appeal his conviction.Peter Willows was a member of Brighton and Hove City Council with 12 years service when he was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge at Brighton Magistrates Court in December 2006.Magistrates were "satisfied beyond reasonable doubt" that he had made intentionally offensive remarks.

10:20 AM — Today 65,000 members of the Liberal Democrat party are being sent a ballot paper to vote for a new leader.Nick Clegg, 40, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson, and Chris Huhne, 53, the party's environment spokesperson, are the candidates.Much has been made in these first few weeks of the race to become leader of the Liberal Democrats about the similarities between the candidates.

19th November 2007

6:15 PM — A Lords debate on a proposed new law that would make gay and lesbian parenting easier was adjourned after a peer collapsed in the House yesterday.The move was aimed at making the need for a father at IVF children unnecessary.Some peers however said it should uphold the importance of both parents.

6:15 PM — A total of 32 people, including a police officer, have been cautioned as a result of a crackdown on cruising in a toilet block in Wallasey, Liverpool.Six people were charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for the alleged sexual activity that happened in the toilets on Harrison Drive in the New Brighton area of the city earlier this year.

5:35 PM — A framework document on the future of the fire and rescue service is set to include plans to improve the representation of the LGB community.Currently less than 0.5% of the fire service are openly lesbian, gay or bixexual, equivalent to less than 270 people. Nationwide, 7% of the working population identify themselves as LGB.The document, to be released in spring 2008, also addresses the representation of women and minority background employees, which the fire service lacks in current trends.

5:00 PM — New resources and tools to help school staff fight homophobic bullying have been created by a local authority anti-bullying team.The new materials are designed to help teachers and other staff "effectively and confidently" achieve the aims set out in the guidance materials on bullying.This week is Anti-Bullying Week 2007, run by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), who this year are focusing on 'bullying in the community.'

1:35 PM — Stonewall FC may have narrowly lost out in the final of the gay World Cup earlier this year, but the UK's leading gay football team had some good news to share this weekend.The team has secured a one-year sponsorship deal with Barclays PLC, who also sponsor the Premier League.The deal sees Barclays become the exclusive title sponsor of Stonewall FC's three teams, and provide kit and equipment to the club.

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